This week we talk about the benefits of embedded journalism, escaping the fundamentalist mindset, wtf happened at cbs, Anxiety, idiot plots marketing kids, and how awesome it is being married to a "wife guy."  We also talk RFK jr and other shameless MAGAboys, and why meta wants you to believe everyone is terrible. Also, poor people helping each other, being bi, and what we do about women who are tools of the patriarchy.
TW for SA, DV, and suicidal ideation. 

Guest: Journalist Sarah Rigg

Jack of all trades and master of some, Ryan Lieske [https://linktr.ee/RyanLieske] shares his experiences with depression, films, podcasting, and overcoming his fear of mental health meds. TW for suicidal ideation.

We also talk horror comedy, gen AI, opium dens, and why MAGAboys think saying "you have cats" is some kind of insult. We also talk zombies, environment, and how kids intuitively engage in art therapy. We also parse TV's Bates Motel pilot movie (RIP Bud Cort) and do a MadLib. 

Author, Podcaster, and Filmmaker Ryan Lieske

Riley ODell [https://linktr.ee/rileyodellwriter]lives with (and advocates for) Autism and ADHD. This week, we talk about the value of satire, how autism and ADHD can impact productivity, and why some ND people love horror so much. We also parse The Simpsons as a measure of class and economy, and whether or not anyone should have to "earn a living." We end with a MadLib followed by a banger or a short story that is not for sensitive audiences. 

Guest: Author and Advocate Riley ODell 

This week, the Empress of Tawnlandia [http://tawnlandia.com/] and I discuss our horror beginnings, cozy fiction, genres Wednes doesn't write in, and why gets left out of yt feminism. We also talk "What is a Safe Space" and how the people who think they don't need them actually may need them the most. Plus hot chicks we like, community outreach, and Wednes learns a zillion things about piloting and airplanes.

Author, Activist, Publisher, Pilot Tawn Krakowski 

Known as Mothshade to his peers, David A Hill [https://linktr.ee/mothshade] is a passionate writer of fantasy, dark science fiction, and an array of TTRPGs. We talk about what makes a horror movie and horror in general. Plus living with a stutter, coping tools for anxiety, and what publishers mean when they say "doesn't meet our needs." Also zombies, breakdowns, secret spilling, and Wednes learns a whole bunch about RPG culture and alternative nerdery. 

Sci-fi, Fantasy, and RPG Writer David A Hill

Known by his stage name, Jarrett Lennon has appeared in beloved shows like Cheers and Freaks & Geeks, as well as the haunting Short Cuts. We talk about improv, acting, and what it's like when you succeed without trying as a kid. How ADHD can actually help you accomplish things, and why acting can be a coping tool for autism. Jarett debunks a few rumors of Hollywood dicketry, and helps parse the importance of community vs isolation. We also talk stage parents, prodigies, fakeness, rejections--and why people really ought to remember their passwords. 

Actor, Podcaster, and Improv Guy: Jarrett Lennon Kaufman 

This week 411Mania reviewer and new author Bryan Krystopowitz schools host Wednesday Lee Friday on the finer points of action movies with small budgets, the perils of affordable stunt work, and why representation is such a touchy topic in film. We also talk about why adult friendships are hard, why JD Vance should be ridden out of town on a rail, and we parse whether Sharknado movies are really better than Inhumanwich. 

Guest: Author and Movie Reviewer Bryan Krystopowitz

This week, we talk with Sheldon Higdon about his new book [http://sheldonhigdon.com] and writing career. We discuss how Stephen King impacted our work as young writers, the perils of psyche meds...and the perils of living without them. Also movie scores as writing music, writing about family, living with the same name as a popular character, and classic zombie lore. 

Guest: Author Sheldon Higdon 

How does being an unwanted child impact a person? Is there really an AI Authors Guild? What's it like getting doxxed? We talk about all of that--plus we call out Wellbutrin and Bill Burr. We talk politics, (ep was recorded a day after Charlie Kirk's killing) weed strains, were-panthers, MAGA trolls, and Zooskeeping. TW for suicide, DV, SA, and animal tragedy. 

Find more from Jaime Johnesee here [https://jaimejohnesee.com/]. 

Author, Artist, and former ZooKeeper Jaime Johnesee 

Our 50th episode features sci-fi/horror novelist, publisher, and podcast pioneer Scott Sigler. We talk the pro and cons of ADHD, King Kong, and parse ChatGPT for language creation. We also discuss AI ethics, a drug called caffeine, and close with a 1990's radiodrama that Scott and I made with some friends way back in undergrad. And of course, there's a MadLib. 

50th Episode!!! Guest: Author, Podcaster, Badass, Scott Sigler 

Brought to you by Sometimes Hilarious Horror, the Mentally Oddcast features creatives discussing how mental illness, addiction, neurodivergence, and the impact of trauma informs & inspires their art. New eps every Wednesday! CW/TW for discussions on suicide, addiction, abuse, SA. 

Host Wednesday Lee Friday is the owner/EiC of Sometimes Hilarious Horror magazine, a quarterly horror lit mag for lovers of dark comedy. She's the author of A Stabbing for Sadie, Kiss Me Like You Love Me, The Finster Effect, and multiple short story collections. 

Intro/Outtro music by Peter Alway

the Mentally Oddcast

It's me, Wednesday Lee Friday. I host the Mentally Oddcast and Gratis Guignol. 

Wednesday Lee Friday

Shows